Shifting into the spotlight at work and getting noticed for your attitude and accomplishments can mean the difference between languishing in a holding pattern and rising through the ranks. Tooting your own horn is not just more acceptable nowadays – it’s a necessary component to becoming the “total package” that makes getting ahead a possibility. There are traditional approaches like coming in early and staying late, but these days it takes something more to stick out and shine on the job. Getting ahead means getting creative and devising ways to go beyond the usual. Here are some methods for improving your chances of getting noticed.

With the arrival of the holiday season comes the many temptations to overindulge. From the abundance of holiday goodies to the dizzying calendar of family dinners, office parties and other get-togethers, it’s safe to say that gaining weight at this time of year is as easy as apple pie. It’s a common belief that Americans typically gain about five pounds during the holidays. According to a recent study however, the actual weight gain per person only averages to one pound. As reassuring as this sounds, this one pound is rarely shed even after the festivities builds up over the years. So what can you do this to stay in shape and keep from acquiring that notorious – and tenacious – ‘winter fat’?

If your resume is your ticket to an interview, you want to make sure that your information is in order and presentable before you give it to a professional in a position to hire you. “You have two minutes to make an impression that can determine the quality of your life for the next 3-10 years,” writes Brenda Greene. With little room for error, job seekers can benefit from the techniques and strategies in Get The Interview Every Time, and learn ways that your resume can take you to better and more exciting career destinations.

Question: Do you exchange holiday gifts at the office?Yes, everybody gets a little something for everybody elseYes, I get gifts for a few peopleYes, we do a secret santa or other type of gift exchangeNo, we don't exchange gifts at the office